Thursday, 24 December 2015

Many a times, we consider the food items nutritious for us to be a healthy option for our pets as well which can go wrong in some cases. There are a few fruits and vegetables which are not only unhealthy, but can even prove toxic for our pets. If it’s asked generally, can dogs eat tomatoes? Many of us may not be aware of its allergic and toxic effects on a dog. This is the reason why one needs to be sure whether a fruit or a vegetable is healthy for a pet before feeding everything we eat ourselves.

Here is a brief description of some fruits and vegetables which can be dangerous for the health of the pets:

1.Raisins & Grapes

It is the most commonly known toxic food item which one must avoid to give to one’s pet. Now, mostly pet owners are aware of its toxic effects on pets. Though some dogs don’t show any adverse effects after consuming raisins or grapes, the danger still lurks as consumption of grapes or raisins can cause irreparable kidney damage.

2. Onions and garlic

Some pet owners consider garlic to be good for the health of their dogs however; it is strongly warned by Pet Poison Helpline to avoid giving garlic and onion to pets as it can lead to lethargy, pale gums and increased heart and respiratory rates. Not only this, the pet may even collapse in some conditions.

3. Cherries

Though this delicious fruit is considered safe for the pets, the intake of plant and pit by the pets can lead to respiratory failure or even death. The cyanide content in the plants and the pits make it highly toxic so, it is always advised to keep your pets away from these.

4. Mushrooms

It’s true that only a few species of mushrooms are toxic for our pets, but it is recommended to avoid giving mushroom to the pets as many can land up in giving the wrong ones. It may happen as it is very difficult to identify the species which are safe for pets. Intake of toxic species of mushrooms can prove to be fatal in dogs and can cause tremors, seizures and even complete organ failure.

5. Currants

Currants are also severely toxic for the pets as grapes and raisins. In case you don’t see vomiting and diarrhea symptoms in your pet after it consumes currants, you must immediately visit a veterinarian as it can lead to acute renal failure.

6. Raw and Green Potatoes

Though potatoes are recommended as quality foods to be given to pets, unripe, green, and raw potatoes can prove to be toxic for them. Consumption of such potatoes is toxic for not only pets, but humans as well. It can lead to nausea, seizures, vomiting, and heart irregularities in pets.

Apart from these fruits and vegetables, apricots, rhubarbs, apple seeds and tomato plants are also toxic for pets and should be taken care by the pet owners to avoid giving these food items to their pets. Apricot pulp is fine, but apricot plant contains cyanide and can lead to respiratory failure in pets. The leaves and stems of rhubarb are harmful for dogs as it reduces the calcium levels in the body leading to renal failure and various other medical problems. Apple seeds also contain cyanide, and prove to be highly toxic to our dogs.

Many pet owners ask, can dogs eat tomatoes? The answer is the red tomato fruit can be given to our pets, but intake of the other parts of the plant stems, leaves and the unripe fruit can be very toxic. It can cause gastrointestinal problems in the pets.